Typographical machine



March 27, 1945. M. TREJO ET AL 2,372,407

0 TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINE Filed April ll, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS lrroR/vev March 27, 1945. TREJO T 2,372,407

TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINE Filed April 11, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2 FIG. 3

I I I Patented Mar. 27, 1945 TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINE Maximilian Trejo and Hector Cascante,,.

New York, N.

Application April 11, 1942, Serial No. 438,604

'13. Claims. i (01. 199-50) Our invention relates to improvements in typo.- graphical machines and more particularly to means for automatically centering lines of matrices for use-in casting type slugs.

Linotype and; similar machines have heretofore required a special construction of the entir vise mechanism and associated apparatus for the automatic centering, of lines of matrices; and converting existing machines having no such opera tion has meant re-building that portion of the machine. This could only be done at the factory and involves very large expense to the owner of the machine as well as a considerable loss of use of the machine while the change-over is. being made. v

It is one object of our inventionto provide an attachment which can be readily fitted to existing Linotype or similar machines in a few hours at the printing establishment and which willprovide the machinev with. the automaticv centering operations. y k

Another object of our invention. is to provide a mechanism by which the operator, of the machine can quickly and'easily adjust the centering, device so that the geographic center of the matrices can be chosen at will anywhere betweenthe outer limits of th maximum width of the line of type.

Other and furtherobjects of our invention will be apparent from this specification. y y

One embodiment of our invention is. shown in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure l is a perspectiveview of a. portion of applying the same to an, existing Linotype machine. the vise closing mechanism assembly is removed and our attachment is substituted therefor. In cases where the device is intended. to center anywhere along the entire line of type, then it is necessary to substitute a longer vise jaw on the right hand side of the vise mechanism. The centering means. comprises generally a pair of racks connected to operate the vise mech-' anism, and arranged to be severally or independently moved to actuate the vise mechanism in accordance with the selected point of centering. .These. racks. are operated through a link connected to the justification lever and actuated through the normal movements of that lever.

Referring to the drawings the Linotype machine assembles the matrices and space. bands in a line in the normal way delivering the same. to a vise mechanism comprising a pair of vise jaws Hand I2. As explained, if both jaws are to be movable over the full width of the line, then jaw ['2 is provided with an extension [2A which will a groove in the. underside of the. block I3, and

a Linotype machine: showing the centering mechanism of our invention applied thereto.

Fig; 21s a front elevation ofa portion of the centering mechanism with thecover and other parts broken away to facilitate illustration.

Fig. 3 is a vertical: central section on the line.

Our improved centering device includes vise closing mechanism and operates in conjunction with certain of the existing apparatus 50 that in ably mounted within the casing, these bars beingv the two racks terminate beyond the side of the head [5 in position to be actuated by a vise. closing mechanism.

Our vise closing and centering mechanism is enclosed. in casing l8, shown more in detail in Figs. 2 and 3. One of the side walls Zl of the casing has a suitable bracket plate (not shown) secured thereto. by means of which the mechanism is mounted on the machine. The. casing I8 is completed by aback wall 22, a sidev wall 29, end walls 30 and a front cover plate 31.

The back wall 22 of the casing is slotted as in,- dicated at 23 for receiving the slide. bar 24 which is properly secured to a clamping plate 25. that. is slidable over the outer surface of the rear plate 2.2, and is of a size to cover the slot. 23 at all times. A stub. shaft 2.6 is mounted near the upper end, of this clamping plate on which one end of the operating link 21. to be more fully hereinafter described, is pivotally mounted. Secured. near the lower end of the. slide 24 so as. to reciprocate therewith is a foot 28 having the shape. of a hollow rectangular block.

A pair of reciprocable bars 32 and 33 are slide arranged for conjoint reciprocation as well as for reciprocation independently of each other. These bars extend through the central opening in the foot 28 which also acts somewhat as a lower guide for the bars. The bar 32 has a groove 34 (Fig. 6) and the bar 33 a tongue 35 operating in that groove to also aid in the guiding of the bars.

At their upper ends the bars 32 and 33 are provided respectively with upwardly extending racks 3B and 37, which face inwardly toward each other, these racks being spaced apart both laterally and from front to rear. The rack 35 meshes with a pinion 38 which is loosely mounted upon an axle 39 that is supported in the rear plate 22 and cover 3|.

gear 4| which, in turn, engages with the vise jaw operating rack bar IT. The gear 4| is rotatively mounted on axle 42 which is parallel to the axle 39. In a similar manner rack 3'! engages a pinion 43, also on the axle 39, which has a gear 44 connected thereto that meshes with an idler gear 45 that is loosely mounted on the axle 42 and meshes with the other vise jaw operating rack bar l6. Thus, as we are about to describe, the bars 32 and 33 are reciprocated and the vise jaws are moved in and out to close and open the same.

The upper face of each of the bars 32 and 33 is provided with a slot 45 (Fig. 6) in the shape of a sector of a circle, the two slots normally being aligned horizontally so that the combined slots form a somewhat semi-circular segment. Arranged to move in the slots 46 is a semi-circular cam 41 which is fast upon a shaft 43 that is mounted for rotation in a housing 49. The housing is carried by an intermediate block which surrounds the bars 32 and 33 and is free to move thereon. the housing projecting outward- 1y through a slot 52 in the cover 3|. (Fig. 3) and normally resting at the bottom thereof. The shaft 48 also carries one of a pair of gears 53, the second one of which is located in the projecting part of the housing and is secured to the operat ng rod 54. This rod extends above the top of the casing I8 through a guide 55 and has at its upper end an adjusting knob 56. By turning-the knob the position of the cam 4! will be adjusted so that the cam assumes e ther of four positions for each one-ouarter turn, (1) engaging both of the bars 322ml 33, as shown in Fig. 6, or (2) engaging only the bar 32, or (3) engaging only the bar or (4) engaging neither bar, as may be des red in the operation of the machine. The rod 54 passes through an indexing device such as the notched disc 51, rotatably mounted on the uide 55. the notches of which are engaged by the spring pressed ball detent 58 tlfat is suitably mounted in a cup 59 secured to the-rear of the'cover 3|.

The upper face of each of the bars 32 and 33 is provided also with a series of small, closely spaced serrations 5|. Surrounding the bars 32 and 33 in the area f these serrations is an upper slidable block 62 which carries a housing 63 that also projects through the slot 52 in the cover 3|. A slot 64 (Fig. 5) extends through the housing from its top to the block 62. A pair of matching hollow pawl members 55 occupy the lower part of the slot 64 and are free to move up and down therein. Each member has a toothed bottom end 66 adapted to engage with the serrations SI of the bars 32 and 33. respectively. A wing shaped bar 61, mounted upon a transverse shaft 68 in the housing 63 fits in-the hollow of the members 65 so as to move one of the members oppositely As gear 40 is secured to the pinion 38, and this gear meshes with an idler to the other. This is done through the action of the cam 1| which is pivoted at 12 and has lobes l3 and 14 on the bottom thereof on either side of the pivot, which lobes engage with the tops of the members 65. At its outer end the cam has a handle 15 and a cover 16 for the end of the slot 64. The cam also has a somewhat elliptical shaped slot 17 therein for the free passage of the operating rod 54 of the rotatable cam mechanism that is carried by the intermediate block 5|.

When the handle 15 is moved to the right (Fig.

5) the right-hand member 65 is lowered so that its teeth 66 engage the serrations 6| of the bar 33. This will rock the winged bar 61 on its pivot 68 to lift the left hand member 65. When the handle 15 is moved to the left the reverse action takes place, and when the handle 15 is in the central or neutral position the teeth of the members 65 are out of engagement with the serrations 6|. A suitable index 18 in measurements of ems will be provided on the cover plate co-extensive with the serrations 6|.

The bars 32 and 33 are reciprocated through the operations of the flexible link 21, shown in detail in Fig. 4. This link comprises a tubular shaft 8| receiving the rod 82 and having at its upper end the link .83 which is mounted on the pivot 26. (Fig. 3). The link and rod are connected by a coiled spring 84, this arrangement being provided to eliminate the danger of breakage or jamming in the operation of the centering apparatus. One end of the rod 82 is pivotally connected to the holder 85 (Figs. 1 and 4) which in turn is secured to one arm of the justification lever 86 that is moved vertically by the action of the cam 81 and cam wheel 88 against the action of spring 89, as is customary in these ma:

' chines.

In their up and down movements the foot 28 and the blocks 5| and 62 are also guided by bars 9| (Fig. 2) received in slots, 92 and 93 (Figs..5 and 6) in the sides of the blocks 62 and 5| respectively. The upper ends of the racks 32 and 33 are guided in their up and down movements by the guide roller 94 on the axle 42 and the guide rollers 95.

The described apparatus operates substantially in the following manner: If the vise jaws are to be operated simultaneously to center the line of matrices on the geographic center of the line, the l'inotype operator adjusts the cam 41 by means of the knob 56 to engage both bars 32 and 33, as shown in Fig. 6, and places the handle 15 in the neutral position. Assuming the cam 41 is so adjusted, the cam 81 will be rotated to permit the justification lever 86 to rise, thereby raising the link 21 which will move the clamping plate 25 and slide 24 upwardly,- carrying with it the foot 28. This foot will engage the intermediate block 5|, having therein the cam 41, and move this block upwardly. Since the cam 41 now engages both of the bars 32 and 33 these bars will be lifted in the continued upward movement of the slide 24. Both racks 36 and 31 will be simultaneously raised to operate both vise jaw rack bars l6 and H in opposite directions to close the same an equal amount.

On its upper side the intermediate block 5| carries a pair of pins 13 having thereon coiled will move the upper block 62, but since the handle 15 of the block 62 is now in the neutral position.

this block movesup idly. The upper limit of movement'is determined bythe engagement of the slide 2: with the upper end of its sliot 23'. In the upward. movement of. the block 51 the rod 54 moves freely upward in the slot l't, guideii andin'd'ex' disc 5.1.

As the justification lever 8.& is lowered, theslide. Z4: is lowered to the bottom or the slot 23, carrying with. it.- thefoot 28, and the blocks 5-! and 62 return by gravity to. their lower positions, as do the bars 32 and 33,- Thus; the vise. jawsv are reopened ready for action on the next line of. matrices. v Ordinarily, the weight ofthe bars. and, associated parts is sufficient to efiectvthis. return but. if for any reason the mechanism fails to, begin. its return movement then the upper block 6-2 will be engaged by the finger 95., carried: by the slide bar 24, and the: further down:- ward movement thereof will be sufiicient to. release: the blocks and startthei-r downward movement..- If. for, any reason the mechanism should be out of! order so that. the: blocks would not move, then the spring and: construction of the. operating. link 21- is such that the. justification'lever can hereturned to its. lower position without damaging the centering or other mechanism.

If now it is desired to center a. line of matrices, or a single matrix, on some: point to the left of. the geographic. center of the. full line, say at five ems, the operator will move the upper block E2 vertically to the proper position as shown by the index scale 18-, and move. the handle 15 to the: right. thereby lowering the.- right-hand (Fig. 5) member 65 to engage the teeth thereof with the serrations it of the bar 33. also. turn. the knob 56. to -adjust the cam. 4-! so. that it is in engagement'only withthe bar 32. With these adjustments, upon the upward move ment of the slide 24 and the foot 28', only the bar 32 will be raised by means ofv the block 5:! and its cam 41, and until the. intermediate block 5i engages with the upper block 62 in its new position the bar 33 will remain stationary. Accordingly; the rack 36 and. the associated rack bar it of vise jaw 12 will travel much further than the other vise jaw. Uponthe further. upward movement of the slide 24, thebars 32 and 33 will be raised simultaneouslyto then close the vise jaws about the five em center selected, but the visejaw I I has had to travel only-a short ,distance.

If it is desired to center the matrix or matrices on some point to the right of the geographical center, the cam 41 and the handle 15 will be moved to the opposite positions and the reverse operations of the bars 32 and 33 will be eifected. It is obvious that any centering point may be selected in the full length of the line and that the vise jaws will be relatively moved accordingly.

Modifications may be made in the arrangement and location of parts within the spirit and scope of our invention, and such modifications are intended to be covered within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a line composing and type casting machine, vise closing and line centering means comprising a pair of independently movable vise jaws, rack bars connected thereto, gears engaging said rack bars, other racks and pinions connected to said gears and operable to move the vise jaw rack bars in opposite directions, means for selectively moving either of said other racks a different distance from the other to thereby select the centering point for less than a complete line, said means consisting of serrated portions on said The operator wilt other racks, slidably' mounted pawl-s. movable" to engage. said serrated members respectively, cam means adjustable to cooperate. with said other tasks so: that either one. may be. moved independently of the other, and means for moving said pawis' and cam. means vertically.

2.1m. a line composing and type casting ma chine, vise closing and line centering means com prising: a. pair of independently movable vise jaws, rack: barsconnectedv thereto, gears. engaging. said rack bars, other racks: and pinions. connected to said gears, and means for selectively moving either of. said. other racks a difierent. distance from the other to thereby select the centering point tor-less than. a complete line, saidmeans consisting of serrated" portions; on said other racks; and slidably mounted pawls movable. to engage. said serratedmembers respectively.

3. In a line composing and type casting machine-vise closing. and line. centering means comprising: a. pairof independently movable vise. jaws, rack bars connected thereto,.gcars engaging said rack bars, other racks and pinions connected to said. gears and-operableto move the. vise jaw rack. bars in, opposite. directions, cam means adjustable to cooperate with said latter rack bars so that they may move either independently or both simultaneously, and means for adjusting said a greater distance than the: other thus moving the connected vise jaw a greater distance than the other- 5. Ina line composing and type casting ma: chine, vise closing. and line centering means comprising a pair of independently movable vise. jaws, rack bars connected thereto, gears engaging said raclebars, other racks, and pinions connected to said gears and operable to move the vise jaw rack. barsv in opposite directions, and means for selectively moving either or both of said other racks to actuate. saidvise. jaw rack'b'ars. 6. In a. line compo-sing and type casting machine, ,vise closing and line centeringmeans comprising a pair of vise jaws. independently movable. over the entire width of the line, laterally extending rack bars attached to the vise jaws, means for reciprocating the rack bars to center less than a full line of matrices on any selected center within the width of the full line, and means for adjusting said mechanism to select the desired center.

7. In a line composing and type casting ma chine, vise closing and line centering means comprising a pair of vice jaws independently movable over the entire width of the line, laterally extending rack bars attached to the vise jaws, mechanism for reciprocating the rack bars to center less than a full line of matrices on any selected center within the width of the full line, means for adjusting said mechanism to select the desired center, said machine also having a justification lever, and a connection from said lever to said mechanism whereby the latter is actuated.

8. In a line composing and type casting machine, vise closing and line centering means comprising a pair of vise jaws independently movable over the entire width of the line, laterally exteriding rack bars attached to the vise jaws, gears connected to said rack bars for reciprocating the same and mechanism for rotating said gears having a pair of racks connected to said gears, and means for reciprocating said racks, said means having an adjustment to select any desired center within the full width of the line about which the vise jaws will be moved.

9. In a line composing and type casting machine, vise closing and line centering means comprising a, pair of independently movable vise jaws, laterally extending rack bars attached thereto, gearing engaging the rack bars and rotatable to move the vise jaws relatively to each other, rack means connected to the gearing to rotate the same, and means for moving the rack means and including an adjustable pawl which is movable to control the movement of the rack, means in accordance with the desired center for the matrices being acted upon by the vise laws.

10. In a line composing and type casting machine, vise closing and line centering means comprising a pair of independently movable vise jaws, laterally extending rack bars attached thereto, gearing engaging the rack bars and rotatable to move the vise jaws relatively to each other, rack means connected to the gearing to rotate the same, a justification lever on said machine, and means for moving the rack means comprising a plurality of teeth on said rack means, a pawl for engaging the teeth, the pawl being adjustable to engage various ones of said teeth to determine the movement of said rack means and thereby select the center for setting the matrices being acted upon by the vise jaws, and connections from said pawl to the justifi cation lever whereby the pawl and rack means are moved to close the vise jaws.

11. In a line composing and type casting machine, vise closing and line centering means comrising a pair of independently movable vise jaws, laterally extending rack bars attached thereto, gearing engaging the rack bars and rotatable to move the vise jaws relatively to each other, a pair of racks connected to the gearing to rotate the same, serrations on each of said racks, a block surrounding said racks and carrying a housing, the same being adjustable along the serrations; a pair of pawls mounted in the housin and movable to engage the serrations, a cam for moving one or the other of the pawls in engagement with said serrations respectively in the adjusted positions of the blockand housing, connections from said housing to a lever on said machine whereby the vise jaws are moved in ac- 'cordance with the adjustment of the block, and a justification lever on said machine to which said connections are made.

12. In a line composing and type casting machine, vise closing and line centering means comprising a pair of independently movable vise jaws, laterally extending rack bars attached thereto, gearing engaging the rack bars and rotatable to move the vise jaws relatively to each other, a pair of racks connected to the gearing to rotate the same, each of said racks having a slot therein having the shape of a sector of a circle, said slots being aligned when the vise jaws are open, a block surrounding the racks and carrying a housing, a cam rotatably mounted in the housing and adjustable to engage selectively either or both of said slots, means for adjusting the cam to select its position, a justification lever for said machine, and connections from said lever to said block whereby the block and its cam means are moved to move the racks to thereby close the vise jaws.

13. In a line composing and type casting machine, vise closing and line centering means comprising a pair of independently movable vise jaws, laterally extending rack bars attached thereto, gearing engaging the rack bars and rotatable to move the vise jaws relatively to each other, a pair of racks connected to the gearing to rotate the same, serrations along each of said racks, a block surrounding the racks and carrying a housing,

the block being adjustable along the serrations, a pair of pawls in the housing, means for mov-'- ing the pawls into engagement with the serrations of the rack bars respectively in the adjusted positions of the block, each of said racks also having a slot therein, a second block surrounding the racks and carrying a housing, cam means mounted in the housin and adjustable to engage either of said slots, and operable to engage the slot of the opposite rack from the one having its serrations engaged by one of said pawls, a justification lever for said machine, and connections from said blocks to said lever whereby the blocks are moved to move the racks and 

